The Global Product Stewardship Council

The EU WEEE Directive (Directive 2012/19/EU) introduced a number of changes to the original Directive (Directive 2002/96/EC), including an “Open Scope” of 6 revised categories instead of the previous 10, which according to the Directive are to be introduced from 15 August 2018. The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive, which was made an EU law in February 2003, was instituted to set collection, recycling and recovery targets for electrical goods. The Directive sets the foundations for the creation of collection/compliance schemes. The aim of the schemes is to ensure waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is collected and reused or recycled.

Although the revised scope comes into effect in August this year, Member States and compliance schemes have reported a range of implementation dates for the Open Scope categories. For example, the Finish WEEE scheme, Elker Oy, has introduced the new categories starting 1 January this year. The scheme said in a press release that all the subcategories previously in use will be found in one of the new six categories. Also, B2B and B2C equipment will be placed in new equipment categories. B2C categories are covered by all those listed above and the B2B equipment is under categories 1, 4 and 5 of the new open scope.

On the other end of the scale, Recupel, the Belgium WEEE scheme, release annually their new categories and fees which are valid from 1 July each year. This year and next there is no difference, hence the Open Scope categories have not been introduced from 1 July this year. The scheme has confirmed with us that as usual, there will be no further fee or category changes until 1 July 2019, almost a year after implementation of the 2018 WEEE Open Scope categories.

In the UK, the 2013 WEEE Regulations fully transposed the requirements of the EU WEEE Directive, therefore will include changing the UK’s 14 categories to 6, which according to DEFRA will be from 1 January 2019. Defra opened a consultation on the ‘open scope’ as they wanted to hear people’s view on 2013 WEEE Regulations, specifically whether they improved the environment as a proportionate cost to business. The consultation proposed three options for the implementation of the Open Scope:

Option 1

The first option involves making no amendments and hence allowing the WEEE Regulations to take effect, with the requirement to categorise and report in 6 revised categories from 1 January 2019. The new categories would be: 1 Temperature Exchange Equipment; 2 Screens, Monitors & Equipment Containing Screens Surface are >100 cm2; 3 Lamps; 4 Large Equipment Any External Dimension > 50 cm; and 6 Small IT & Telecom No External Dimension > 50 cm. This would require changes to how producers and Approved Authorised Treatment Facilities (AATFs) report. Furthermore, there would be a significant redistribution of costs, with some producers paying significantly more and others making savings.

​Option 2

The second option involves making amendments to the 2013 WEEE Regulations to retain the UK’s current 14 categories and to allocate any EEE previously out of scope to one of the existing categories. This would avoid redistribution of costs and is the government’s preferred option.

Option 3

The final option would adopt the 6 revised categories but introduce 3 subcategories in order to reduce the change in costs to producers. This would mean that more costly or hazardous WEEE treatment is fairly allocated to producers who place it on the market as they would have to report in the relevant subcategories. Hence increased costs will be imposed on some producers, and savings for others as well as changes to the reporting system for both producers and AATFs. Two subcategories would come under ‘Temperature Exchange Equipment’ which would be: 1 Those containing refrigerant and 2 Those not containing refrigerant. A further three subcategories would come under ‘Large Equipment Any External Dimension > 50 cm’ which would be: 5 PV, 6 Large household equipment (LDA) and 7 All other.

An announcement on changes to the UK WEEE scoping is expected in May. ​​​

Elsewhere, the new Open Scope categories are planned to be implemented on 15 August this year in Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy and Romania. Along with the UK, the revised Directive will be implemented on 1 January 2019 in Ireland, the Netherlands and Sweden.

All packaging is obligated under Mozambique’s Decree 79/2017, including commercial and domestic packaging and the packaging waste produced. The ​​Ministry for the Environment is responsible for drafting and disclosure of rules and procedures in the context of the production and import of packaging and packaging waste. The Ministry for Industry and Commerce is responsible for establishing rules and standards applicable to import and production of packaging. Furthermore, under the Regulation, the Ministry for Finance is responsible for the collection of fees and fines as well as the supervision of the rules applicable to packaging in the context of clearance goods.

Producers and importers of packaging and packaging waste are responsible for the management of packaging and packaging waste, pursuant to the Regulation and other applicable legislation; the payment of fees for the management of packaging and the return and recovery of packaging waste, whether directly or through organisations created for waste recovery.

Further detail is in the Knowledge Base available to GlobalPSC members via the Members Page. Analysis provided by GlobalPSC Corporate Members Lorax Compliance.

In addition to releasing the consultation paper, the Department is supporting the GlobalPSC’s International Stewardship Forum 4-5 April in Sydney. As part of delivering the Forum, the GlobalPSC is reflecting the Forum’s sessions and exclusive, invitation-only Chatham House discussions in an Issues and Options Paper that will help inform the Department’s review. Register now to be part of the debate and to help inform your own input into the future of product stewardship in Australia and changes to Australia’s product stewardship framework.

The Department will hold public consultation forums in all state and territory capitals during May and June 2018, and the call for written submissions will close on 29 June. Information on the dates and venues for these forums will be published on the Department’s website as they become available.

The Department commissioned an independent evaluation of the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme in 2017. The evaluation report will be available on the Department’s website this week.

The Department is also making minor amendments to the Product Stewardship (Televisions and Computers) Regulations 2011, to update settings relating to the estimation of weights of products imported and entering the waste stream each year.

We are pleased to have confirmed 13 featured international speakers from 8 countries and active globally, in addition to a strong suite of Australian experts on product stewardship, sustainability, recycling and consumer engagement. Speakers represent global brand owners, recovery organisations, NGOs and governments at federal, state and local levels.

The Global Product Stewardship Council, supported by the Australian Government Department of the Environment and Energy, is staging an international forum on product stewardship to gain practical insights from product stewardship and extended producer responsibility programs across a broad range of products and substances.

The forum will help inform the Australian Government’s review of the Product Stewardship Act 2011 (Act) and comprise two days of presentations, panel discussions and Q&A on 4-5 April 2018 in Sydney featuring key international and Australian speakers, followed by one day of exclusive invitation-only modified Chatham House discussions.

We’ve also secured a strong contingent of Australian speakers. See the updated Preliminary Program, available here, for details.

Sponsorship Opportunities Still Available

The forum is designed to maximise engagement with stakeholders, both to broaden input to the review and to encourage greater involvement in product stewardship. Product stewardship approaches across the spectrum from purely voluntary approaches to regulatory frameworks will be considered. Presentations and discussions will be reflected in an Issues and Options Paper to help capture the extensive international expertise available.

Registration covers participation in both days of the forum and a networking event the evening of 4 April.

Confirmed forum speakers, GlobalPSC members and OEH Sustainability Advantage partners are eligible for a discounted rate of A$750 (ex-GST and ticket fees). Full registrations are A$950 (ex-GST and ticket fees).

Registered attendees will receive details for an event app with program information, speaker bios and key downloads. Registered attendees will also receive details for a 20% discount off the book Product Stewardship in Action by Dr Helen Lewis.

Learn how to reduce supply chain and end of life impacts of products and substances from electronics and batteries, packaging, furniture and mattresses, sharps and unwanted medicines, agricultural and household chemicals, even child safety car seats.

Corporate perspectives including HP, IKEA, Kimberly-Clark, Battery World and Eli Lilly and Company.

Non-profits and NGOs from the OECD to product recovery organisations.

Programs featured from Europe, North America, Africa, Latin America and Asia Pacific. Learn from and network with global leaders in our field.

The Global Product Stewardship Council, supported by the Australian Government Department of the Environment and Energy, is staging an international forum on product stewardship to gain practical insights from product stewardship and extended producer responsibility programs across a broad range of products and substances.

The forum will help inform the Australian Government’s review of the Product Stewardship Act 2011 (Act) and comprise two days of presentations, panel discussions and Q&A on 4-5 April 2018 in Sydney featuring key international and Australian speakers, followed by one day of exclusive invitation-only modified Chatham House discussions.

We’ve also secured a strong contingent of Australian speakers. See the updated Preliminary Program, available here, for details.

Sponsorship Opportunities Still Available

The forum is designed to maximise engagement with stakeholders, both to broaden input to the review and to encourage greater involvement in product stewardship. Product stewardship approaches across the spectrum from purely voluntary approaches to regulatory frameworks will be considered. Presentations and discussions will be reflected in an Issues and Options Paper to help capture the extensive international expertise available.

Registration covers participation in both days of the forum and a networking event the evening of 4 April.

Confirmed forum speakers, GlobalPSC members and OEH Sustainability Advantage partners are eligible for a discounted rate of A$750 (ex-GST and ticket fees). Full registrations are A$950 (ex-GST and ticket fees).

Registered attendees will receive details for an event app with program information, speaker bios and key downloads. Registered attendees will also receive details for a 20% discount off the book Product Stewardship in Action by Dr Helen Lewis.

The Global Product Stewardship Council, supported by the Australian Government Department of the Environment and Energy, is staging an international forum on product stewardship to gain practical insights from product stewardship and extended producer responsibility programs across a broad range of products and substances.

The forum will help inform the Australian Government’s review of the Product Stewardship Act 2011 (Act) and comprise two days of presentations, panel discussions and Q&A on 4-5 April 2018 in Sydney featuring key international and Australian speakers, followed by one day of exclusive invitation-only modified Chatham House discussions.

The forum is designed to maximise engagement with stakeholders, both to broaden input to the review and to encourage greater involvement in product stewardship. Product stewardship approaches across the spectrum from purely voluntary approaches to regulatory frameworks will be considered. Presentations and discussions will be reflected in an Issues and Options Paper to help capture the extensive international expertise available.

Registration covers participation in both days of the forum and a networking event the evening of 4 April.

An Early Bird rate of A$750 (ex-GST and ticket fees) is available for all registrations up to 16 February 2018. This rate is also available to confirmed forum speakers and to confirmed GlobalPSC members and OEH Sustainability Advantage partners. Full registrations are A$950 (ex-GST and ticket fees).

Registered attendees will receive details for an event app with program information, speaker bios and key downloads. Registered attendees will also receive details for a 20% discount off the book Product Stewardship in Action by Dr Helen Lewis.

Agsafe’s training, accreditation and waste management programs support safe handling, storage, transportation and disposal of farm chemicals, to ensure the safety of products at each stage of the chemical lifecycle.

By collecting empty farm chemical containers for recycling, drumMUSTER has diverted more than 31 million drums from landfill since 1999. The drums are used to manufacture construction materials, garden and landscaping products, pipes and fencing.

ChemClear aids land owners in ethical disposal of agricultural and veterinary chemicals by collecting unwanted and obsolete products for environmentally sound disposal, keeping land and waterways clear of waste.

The Global Product Stewardship Council, supported by the Australian Government Department of the Environment and Energy, is staging an international forum on product stewardship to gain practical insights from product stewardship and extended producer responsibility programs across a broad range of products and substances.

The forum will help inform the Australian Government’s review of the Product Stewardship Act 2011 (Act) and comprise two days of presentations, panel discussions and Q&A on 4-5 April 2018 in Sydney featuring key international and Australian speakers, followed by one day of exclusive invitation-only modified Chatham House discussions.

The forum is designed to maximise engagement with stakeholders, both to broaden input to the review and to encourage greater involvement in product stewardship. Product stewardship approaches across the spectrum from purely voluntary approaches to regulatory frameworks will be considered.Presentations and discussions will be reflected in an Issues and Options Paper to help capture the extensive international expertise available.

Registration covers participation in both days of the forum and a networking event the evening of 4 April.

An Early Bird rate of A$750 (ex-GST and ticket fees) is available for all registrations up to 16 February 2018. This rate is also available to confirmed forum speakers and to confirmed members of the GlobalPSC, Sustainability Advantage and other supporting organisations up to the first day of the forum. Full registrations are A$950 (ex-GST and ticket fees).

Registered attendees will receive details for an event app with program information, speaker bios and key downloads. Registered attendees will also receive details for a 20% discount off the book Product Stewardship in Action by Helen Lewis.

During Helen Lewis‘s research and in-depth discussions with industry practitioners over the past few years, the broader benefits and value of product stewardship to business have become clear. Companies that understand the environmental and social impacts of their products; engage with stakeholders through genuine and open dialogue; and then implement appropriate strategies can create shared value for themselves and their stakeholders. This applies whether the company is taking individual action or collaborating with industry peers.

Product stewardship in action: the business case for lifecycle thinking features the GlobalPSC and some of our members. Helen will help incorporate lessons from the book in our International Stewardship Forum this 4-5 April in Sydney.

We have previously made Product Stewardship in Action available to GlobalPSC members at a discounted rate. Registrants for the GlobalPSC’s International Stewardship Forum will also be provided details to access a 20% discount on this relevant and insightful book.

The Department of Environment and Science administers the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011, which provides a framework for waste management and resource recovery in Queensland, Australia. Among other things, the Act provides for the development of product stewardship schemes for products of priority for Queensland. The Department also supports national product stewardship initiatives and provides the Secretariat support for the current program of work on the development of a handheld battery product stewardship scheme. More information on Queensland’s waste management and resource recovery agenda and legislation can be found here.

In June 2014, the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (now Environment and Science) upgraded its GlobalPSC membership to become a Sustaining Government member.